Business

How My Son shocked everyone by becoming a Pilot at 21 – Femi Adesina reveals

Published

9 years ago

June 26, 2017

Be careful what you dream about, it may well come to pass. Oluwatobi is my firstborn, “my might, and the beginning of my strength.” One day, when he was just four years old, we were all in the living room; myself, his mom, and his sister, when he exclaimed:”Daddy, I’ll be a pilot!”
I looked at him, looked at his mother, and said casually: “What does he know about piloting?” For by then, Oluwatobi had not gone near an airport, not to talk of entering an airplane.
But somehow, what he said refused to leave my mind. Just like the biblical Mary, after the angel told her of the virgin conception, I “kept all those things, and pondered them” in my heart.
‘Tobi (as we call him) began to live his dreams. He needed to see only the picture of an airplane in a newspaper or magazine, and he would cut it, file it away, or paste on the wall of his bedroom. When he was old enough to manipulate a computer, he always went to sites where he could read about aircraft.
I had thought he would outgrow the passion. But the older he grew, the firmer and clearer the dream became. “Daddy, I’ll be a pilot!”
As a growing journalist with growing means, I got to the point I could go on vacation with my family once a year. We started with Ghana. Then South Africa. And London… Tobi was in secondary school, and talked about nothing save flying a plane. Each time we travelled, it was like nirvana. While I kept looking at my wristwatch, expecting the time we would land, my son, and his sister, Tosin, felt completely at home in the sky.
I had expected two people to baulk, and talk Tobi out of his dreams. His mother, and my own mother (Tobi’s grandma, whom he was particularly close to). But the two women surprisingly did not dissuade the boy. They submitted to the perfect will of the Almighty. Underneath are the Everlasting Arms.
Never underestimate the power of dreams. At 18, my son packed his baggage, and was on the way to Aeronav Academy, in South Africa. The fees were staggering, but by then, I was Deputy Managing Director/ Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers. The pay was good enough, and with some belt tightening and lots of sacrifice, I could afford the fees.
Tobi got to Johannesburg at the peak of winter. “A cold coming we had of it, just the worst time of the year. For a journey, and such a long journey, the ways deep and the weather sharp, the very dead of winter.” (T.S Eliot, The Journey of the Magi). I remember the first email he sent to me:”Daddy, it’s so cold, I had to sleep with my shoes on.” Lol. My heart went out to him, but he that would eat honey from the rock must never consider the blade of his axe.
By the end of his first year, he got the private pilot license. Second year, he got the commercial license. I was breathing like a hog under the financial burden, but didn’t Jesus promise that his yoke was easy, “and my burden is light?” I kept trudging on, and one day, at age 21, my son was back, a fully licensed pilot.
But there was still one more river to cross. And when he told me about it, I almost bolted (just as our President almost did, when he saw the state of the treasury after inauguration into office). Tobi told me of the need to proceed to Sweden, for a type rating license, in which he would specialize on the Boeing 737. A boy of 21 years, planning to fly a whole house in the sky? The money, in dollars, sent my heart racing, and my head spinning. But by then, I was already Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun. The publisher was a welfarist, and he took good care of his staff. If the family would take garri, instead of corn flakes, well, we could send Tobi to Sweden. And off he went, coming back months later with a type rating license. Arik Airline gracefully gave him a job.
For almost two years, the young pilot has been plying his trade, but he never flew me. The closest we got was one Saturday morning, about a year ago. I had just landed in Lagos, and who did I meet on the tarmac? Tobi and the crew that was taking over the airplane for the next flight. Safe skies, I told him, after we had taken some pictures, along with Captain Mohammed, an Arik veteran.
Then D-day came. And it was Monday this week. I had gone to Lagos to be part of Fathers Day celebration in my church, Foursquare Gospel Church, which held on Sunday. Return journey was 7 a.m Monday, aboard Arik.
On Sunday night, Tobi told me: “Daddy, you’ll be on my flight back to Abuja tomorrow.” Great expectations.
I approached the aircraft with Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, and an old friend. An airline staff collected my hand luggage, and took it onboard. I then offered to relieve the former governor of the burden of his own luggage. Trust the ever self-effacing man. He hid the bag behind his back, as I made for it. We laughed.
I was on Seat 1D. The former governor was directly behind me. I told him my son was the co-pilot, and he was so very happy and excited at the news. And then, who came in, and took Seat 1F, right beside me? Another gentleman and friend, Mr Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. We began to chat about the economy, and the risks falling oil prices in the international market could pose to the steadying exchange rate of the dollar to the naira. That was when Tobi struck. He came out from the cockpit, and said the Captain had consented that I should be their guest throughout the flight.
I first declined. Flying in the air was tough enough, who wants to go and frighten himself to death in a cockpit?
“Daddy, come and see what you paid for. Come and see where your money went,” my son said. I introduced him to the CBN governor, and excused myself from the cabin. The co-pilot to the co-pilot had come. Father and son were in the cockpit.
Captain Carretero Alberto hails from Spain. And what a genial man he turned out to be throughout the 55 minutes flight. I got to know about his family, his professional background, and many others. He had kind words to say about Tobi, and, indeed gave him the thumbs up sign many times, as the young pilot flew the plane, and made what he considered smart moves.
Preparing to lift into the air was a whole set of ceremony. Many things to check. Engines, lights, wings, doors, everything.As Tobi handled the joystick, the joy kiln was kindled in the heart of a proud father.
Communication with the control tower was continuous, and lasted almost throughout the flight. As the plane lifted, and soared into the deep, azure sky, I could not see a thing. Not the foggiest thing. How do pilots do it? But there was a forest of buttons and knobs. They kept touching and pressing them. Is this what they call instrumentation? At a point, the sun streamed in powerfully, in all its brightness. And they fixed their sun visors.
“This is why pilots wear sunglasses,” Tobi told me.
As the journey progressed, memories flooded in. The plane was moving forward, but I was going back in time. I remembered that June 25, when unto me a child was born, and unto the Adesinas a son was given. When I got to the hospital, and he was brought out for me to have a look, I remember the yell he gave. Now, the tot of that day is flying a Boeing 737. What will he fly next, a 747 or Dreamliner? The wonders of our God.
Then I chuckled. What did I remember? When Tosin, my daughter was born. Tobi was already three. He had not seen as much soft drinks as on the naming ceremony day. He drank Coke, Fanta, Pepsi, Sprite, everything. Then later, he came to meet me: “Daddy, my tomach (that was how he called it) is paining me. ” I laughed, and asked why his tomach would not pain him, as I had seen him, mixing the drinks? Now, the boy is flying a plane.
I chuckled again. What is it this time? The time he was going to secondary school. A day before resumption, I had taken him to Ikeja, where we bought a pair of boots, which would be part of the school uniform. We barely got home before Tobi slipped into the boots, and for the rest of the evening, he strutted round the house in the jackboot. It was yeoman’s effort to get him to remove it at bedtime. Even then, he put the boots daintily on his bed, throughout the night.
And then, the winter night he slept with his shoes on, in Johannesburg. Lol.
Soon, the plane swung right. And Tobi pointed the runway of the Abuja airport to me. We had begun to descend earlier, and would land in eight minutes. At the dot of that time, he brought the big bird gently onto the runway. What an experience for a father!
Since that Monday, when I posted the pictures of father and son on Facebook, the thanksgiving on our behalf has been overwhelming. I thank everyone who commented, and prayed for us. May your day of joy not be postponed. Amen.
My friend and brother, Onochie Anibeze, editor of Saturday Vanguard, asked for this write up exclusively for his newspaper. I was glad to oblige. Gloating is not one of the reasons I went public about my joy. Far from it. Rather, it is out of thankfulness to God. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony.” Glad to talk about the wonders of our God.
This is my story, this is my song. May every father have cause to rejoice in his son. And on the day of that joy, may the fathers not have toothache.
I can hear the amen. Oh, glory to God.

Business

Zacch Adedeji: The Reformist Redefining Nigeria’s Revenue Future Through Action

Published

1 hour ago

April 16, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Zacch Adedeji: The Reformist Redefining Nigeria’s Revenue Future Through Action

By: Bashorun Oladapo Sofowora

To dazzle in the Nigerian public service sector, you need more than just doing the extraordinary, you must do what no one has ever done. For Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), possessing the heart of Hercules, the fearlessness of Achilles, the grace of Terpsichore, the memory of Macaulay, and the hide of a rhinoceros is what made him stand out to become the poster boy of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Give it to him: highly witty, cerebral, and dutiful. Zacch didn’t earn his current position by fluke; he attained his height with sheer dint of hard work, resilience, self-belief, foresight, and a can-do spirit.

Today, the NRS has been given a new face, the era has changed and the narrative has been rewritten. All thanks to the Oyo State-born outstanding technocrat. Since he assumed office as Executive Chairman, one thing has remained constant; his drive for innovative change and his commitment to ensuring taxpayers are seen as partners in progress rather than foes. Adedeji understands that taxpayers must be treated with dignity and must be made to understand their role as stakeholders, partners in progress and development. This special preference has ensured that tax collection is more simplified, more robust, and more engaging.

When Adedeji assumed the chairmanship of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in September 2023, the agency was less a revenue service and more a leaky sieve. The nation’s tax-to-GDP ratio was an embarrassment, public trust was a phantom, and the treasury gasped for air. But Adedeji, a resounding technocrat with the soul of a warrior looked upon this chaos and saw a canvas. His creed was immediate and uncompromising; more than just words, but action. Within twenty-four months, he has not merely reformed an institution; he has incinerated the old order and birthed a leviathan; the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). This is the story of a man who taught a nation how to pay its way into sheer prosperity.

Adedeji is armed with the philosophy that taxing the fruit, not the seed, is the way to grow as a nation. When he assumed his current role, he rejected the notion that increasing revenue required burdening struggling businesses. Instead, he focused on plugging leakages and widening the net to ensure all taxable citizens perform their civic obligations for the development of the country. With this philosophy, the results were almost immediate and stunning. In 2023, despite assuming office mid-year, the FIRS collected ₦12.36 trillion, surpassing its target of ₦11.55 trillion. That was just the warm-up act. In 2024, the agency delivered a monumental ₦21.7 trillion a 76% jump against a target of ₦19.7 trillion. Between September 2023 and August 2025, the Service realized a cumulative ₦46 trillion in total tax revenue, representing 115% of combined targets. These were not accidents of the economy; they were the direct results of strategic action carefully played and curated by the Tax Man himself.

Zacch’s exceptional ability to steer Nigeria’s fiscal ship towards stability is akin to a skilful sailor navigating treacherous murky waters, with demonstrable efficiency, culminated in Nigeria reaching a historic milestone of ₦28.2 trillion in revenue in 2025. As the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) sets its sights on 2026 with an ambitious goal of ₦40.7 trillion, the role of technological innovation becomes increasingly vital. Adedeji recognized that overcoming the entrenched “tin bucket” mentality, an overreliance on manual collection methods required deploying advanced, reliable digital tools that minimized human contact, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption and errors. He led the successful automation of over 80% of manual processes through the implementation of the TaxPro-Max platform, which streamlined taxpayer registration, documentation, and filing procedures, significantly reducing processing times. The rollout of the e-invoicing system mandated that corporations with turnovers exceeding ₦5 billion digitize all transactions, thereby eliminating VAT evasion at the source and fostering transparency. Within weeks of deployment, major corporations such as MTN Nigeria, Huawei Technologies Nigeria, and IHS Nigeria had onboarded the system, signaling broad industry acceptance. A notable innovation was the nationwide launch of the USSD code *829#, a groundbreaking service allowing citizens to access tax-related information, file returns, and make payments directly via mobile phones without internet connectivity effectively democratizing tax compliance across all socio-economic strata. These initiatives transformed the Nigeria Revenue Service from a traditionally intimidating enforcement agency into a modern, efficient service platform that emulates leading 21st-century tax collection models.

Building on this foundation, the NRS introduced the Rev360 platform an advanced, integrated, and intelligent ecosystem representing the next phase in the evolution of tax administration. Rev360 embodies the principles of Tax Administration 3.0, characterized by comprehensive automation, real-time analytics, and seamless integration of tax processes within taxpayers’ everyday systems. This strategic shift promises faster processing times, enhanced decision-making capabilities, improved compliance rates, and an overall improved user experience. Taxpayers will benefit from a broader array of interaction options, including digital channels, mobile apps, and self-service portals. The launch of Rev360 aligns with the broader digital transformation strategy under the leadership of Zacch Adedeji PhD, the Executive Chairman of the NRS, whose visionary approach continues to propel innovations in service delivery and institutional strengthening. The platform’s deployment reflects the Service’s unwavering commitment to enhancing institutional capacity, fostering greater taxpayer confidence, and aligning with international best practices and technological standards. Following a successful pilot phase, the phased rollout of Rev360 will begin with Medium and Emerging Taxpayers, representing the first stage of comprehensive nationwide adoption aimed at creating a resilient, transparent and efficient tax system for Nigeria.

To ensure action is taken not by mere words alone, Dr. Adedeji knew that lasting change and stability required a new legal framework and laws guiding tax compliance in the country. This enabled him to lead the charge to dismantle the archaic, colonial-era tax laws that had stifled growth by taxing the poor rather than taxing prosperity. This led to the legislative transformation of laws signed into force in 2025 and effective from the 1st of January 2026: the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA), the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA), the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2025 (JRBA), and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025 (NRSA). These laws harmonized over 60 disparate tax statutes into a single framework to ensure adherence and unification. To prevent controversies and wrong narratives from being peddled by naysayers, Adedeji assured Nigerians that the laws are pro-poor, exempting those earning ₦800,000 or less annually from Personal Income Tax and removing VAT on essential items to protect the most vulnerable.

In a bid to show his wizardry beyond being a brilliant chap, Adedeji led one of the most impressive transition and rebranding processes in the country. He executed the transition from FIRS to NRS with distinct surgical precision, ensuring that operational guidelines were ready and that staff were trained for the new mandate. The transition was so seamless that almost all Nigerians pivoted to the change without struggling. Same brand core values, different name, and a more formidable identity. The rebranding was more than a name change; it represented a paradigm shift from a “Federal” collector to a unified “National” revenue hub, aiming to harmonize collections across all tiers of government to ensure effectiveness, bring relief from multiple taxation, and allow government agencies to focus on their core mandates while leaving revenue collection to the NRS.

Zacch obviously detests wastage; seeing wastage bores him. That is why he reignited the abandoned NRS building, breathing fresh life into it after 30 months in charge. The recently commissioned NRS Headquarters will ensure a lasting legacy, also corroborating the transition from FIRS to NRS. The new edifice is beyond magnificent. The 16-floor, tastefully built structure can pass as the ninth wonder of the world. As a man of style and taste, Zacch ensured the environment was inviting for everyone who comes in for any tax-related transaction. The three-tower complex is a world-class edifice designed to house 3,000 staff, complete with a data processing center, a clinic, an auditorium, and a gym. It is indeed a jaw-dropping building equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure seamless navigation and maximum output.

At the opening ceremony on the 14th of April, Adedeji paid tribute to President Tinubu, declaring him “the greatest gift bestowed on this republic.” He noted that the headquarters symbolizes that reform is “not abstract, but real; not theoretical, but implemented.” The auspicious event was attended by the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and numerous governors, signaling rare political consensus on the importance of revenue reform. For the building commissioning, Zacch can be called a jinx breaker and a record setter. Calling him both places him on a pedestal of immortality.

Zacch Adelabu Adedeji has answered the question posed by his own mantra: “More than just words, but action.” He has taken a bureaucracy often viewed with suspicion and turned it into the vanguard of economic renewal. From the digits of ₦46 trillion in revenue to the concrete of a 16-story headquarters, from the virtual code *829# to the legal text of the NRS Act, Adedeji has left no room for doubt. Indeed, he has outdone himself, leaving a lacuna that anyone after him might struggle to fill.

He did not merely build an institution that demands taxes; he built one that enables prosperity. As Nigeria marches toward a future of fiscal self-sufficiency, it does so on the solid foundation of actions taken by a quiet, determined reformer who proved that in governance, what you do will always speak louder than what you say. As the sun sets, and birds chirping over the new NRS headquarters, casting long shadows across the skylines of Abuja, one fact remains indisputable: in the battle for Nigeria’s economic soul, words have failed, long speeches have faded into oblivion, but Zacch Adelabu Adedeji brought action infused with a monument. The era of talk is over, the era of the Alchemist has just begun.

Business

Blue Lagos Launches Community Sensitisation and Engagement Campaign in Riverine Areas

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Blue Lagos Launches Community Sensitisation and Engagement Campaign in Riverine Areas

Blue Lagos has officially commenced its community sensitisation and engagement campaign across riverine and coastal communities in Lagos State.

The initiative is designed to amplify the voices of underserved communities, raise awareness on civic responsibilities, and highlight the unique challenges faced by residents living along the waterways.

Through on-ground interactions and digital advocacy, Blue Lagos aims to foster inclusive participation and ensure that no community is left behind.

Speaking on the campaign, The Director of Mobilisation & Community Engagement for the Blue Lagos Team, Hon. Ashade Abdul-Salam emphasized the importance of engaging directly with residents to better understand their daily realities, from access to basic services and transportation challenges to opportunities for development and improved governance.

The campaign will feature community visits, short sensitisation videos, interactive sessions, and stakeholder engagement, all geared towards empowering residents with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in shaping their future.

Blue Lagos calls on riverine and coastal residents to take advantage of this initiative, share their experiences, and stay informed on civic processes, including voter registration and community development programs.

This campaign marks a significant step towards building stronger connections between communities and decision-makers, while promoting inclusive growth across Lagos State.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Blue Lagos Team via email: [email protected]

Business

One Universe Launches to Redefine How People Find and Pay for Trusted Services

Published

1 day ago

April 15, 2026

Sahara Weekly

One Universe Launches to Redefine How People Find and Pay for Trusted Services

One Universe, a new trusted digital marketplace designed to connect people who need services with skilled professionals, has officially launched and is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Built to solve the everyday challenge of finding reliable service providers, One Universe brings trust, convenience, and transparency into one seamless platform. From beauty and lifestyle services to technical, creative, and professional support, users can now discover verified professionals, agree on terms, and complete payments securely – all within the app.

A Safer, Smarter Way to Get Things Done

One Universe was created to eliminate uncertainty in service transactions. The platform enables buyers to find professionals, chat directly, agree on pricing and timelines, and make payments securely. Funds are held safely until the job is completed, ensuring protection for both parties.

Empowering Professionals to Grow

For service providers, One Universe offers a powerful opportunity to showcase skills, receive referrals, build credibility through reviews, and access more customers without the usual barriers. Professionals can focus on delivering quality work while the platform supports visibility, trust, and secure payments.

Introducing the One Universe Recruiter Program

As part of its launch, One Universe is rolling out the Recruiter Program, designed to reward individuals who help grow the community. Recruiters earn incentives by inviting people to join the platform – especially buyers seeking services – thereby helping professionals get more jobs while expanding the ecosystem. The program turns everyday referrals into real value and shared growth for all participants.

Key Features Include:

• Verified professionals across multiple service categories

• Secure in-app payments with buyer and seller protection

• Transparent pricing and direct communication

• Ratings and reviews to build trust

• A growing community driven by referrals and reputation

• Incentives through the Recruiter Program for community growth

*Now Available on iOS and Android*

One Universe is now live and ready for use. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to download the app, explore services, and experience a smarter way to connect and transact.

Download One Universe today:

Apple App Store

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/one-universe/id6753012310

Google Play Store

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oneuniverse.oneuniverse

About One Universe

One Universe is a trusted digital marketplace built to connect people with skilled professionals, making service discovery, engagement, and payment simple, safe, and reliable. The platform is committed to empowering service providers while giving users confidence and peace of mind.

Media Contact:

www.oneuniverse.ng

[email protected]

08083327368